On the seventh day after Entei left, Fuyuki started to miss it.
Maybe it was because Entei had saved him back then, or maybe it was because that warm, fluffy presence had stayed by his side through the long, bitter winter. Either way, the fire-type held a special place in his heart.
After what happened before, he had no family left in this world. Only Entei had treated him without reservation, protecting him with everything it had.
So much time spent together had made him used to having that warm, furry big cat nearby.
Now that Entei still hadn't returned, worry crept in no matter how hard he tried to suppress it.
Entei was a Legendary Pokemon, but even legends weren't invincible in the face of truly powerful Trainers.
Raikou had nearly been captured by Team Rocket once. If Entei also caught their attention, it might face the same danger.
With thoughts like that weighing on him, Fuyuki had no mood to perform magic tricks for wild Pokemon to earn Shock Points.
Every day, he ate, slept, and sat on Mount Tensei, staring into the distance as he waited for Entei to come back.
Raikou and Marshadow saw all of it.
The two Pokemon exchanged looks. Even without having experienced it themselves, they could tell.
The human infant missed Entei.
After a long silence, Raikou spoke through telepathy. "It will be fine."
"Sigh…" Fuyuki let out a heavy breath, looking like a tiny adult.
The sun was already sinking low. Fire-colored clouds, a rare sight in a massive city like Celadon City, were an everyday view here on Mount Tensei.
Fuyuki yawned, sleepiness washing over him.
"Let's go back," Raikou said. It stepped forward and, a bit awkwardly, lifted Fuyuki by his clothes and set him on its back before turning toward the cave.
Raikou walked slowly.
The Little One wrapped his short arms around its neck, cheek pressed tightly into its fur. Above them stretched a sky filled with blazing clouds. Below lay an endless forest swallowed by dusk.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl.
Raikou's heart, however, felt fuller than ever.
In the past, Mount Tensei had simply been a place to meet Ho-Oh. It held no deeper meaning.
If Ho-Oh wasn't here, or if there was no need to guide the Rainbow Hero, Raikou would hardly ever return.
But now, everything was different.
It even felt reluctant to leave, wanting to stay on Mount Tensei and raise this human infant.
The decision had already been made.
This human child would be raised as a Pokemon.
This was their child.
Not long after returning to the cave, Fuyuki fell into a deep sleep.
Raikou stayed by his side, watching his peaceful face.
So when Entei finally returned, this was the scene it saw.
Its Little One slept on a soft-looking carpet. Beside him stood a glowing mushroom lamp that hadn't been there before. Raikou lay next to the child, silently keeping watch.
Entei froze in place.
Its gaze swept across the wooden floor beneath its paws before settling on Raikou.
"What is this?" Entei asked.
"The human infant's ability," Raikou replied calmly. "He treats this place as his home and used his power to turn the cave into this."
So that was it.
Entei stepped forward, placed the doll it carried beside Fuyuki, then lowered its head to sniff the child's scent. It gently licked his cheek.
Only after confirming that the Little One was safe did the weight in Entei's heart finally lift.
It seemed Raikou and Marshadow had taken good care of him.
Entei looked at Raikou, gratitude flickering in its eyes.
"Thank you for watching over the Little One while I was gone," it said.
Raikou understood.
Entei was telling it to move aside.
It didn't answer, only stared back with steady eyes.
"…You're still not leaving?" Entei asked.
"I promised this human infant I would take good care of him," Raikou replied.
Entei froze.
Shock flashed clearly in its golden-red eyes.
What?
Question marks practically popped up over its imposing head.
What in the world had happened while it was gone?
Who was it that kept saying humans were deceitful and untrustworthy, that even if the child was brought back, it wouldn't get involved?
The two Legendary Pokemon stared each other down.
"The Little One is my child," Entei said firmly. "I took him in."
Raikou didn't deny it. "Entei, you were right. This human infant is different."
"He's not just your child. He's a child raised by Pokemon. I've already made my decision, so this is no longer your matter alone."
Raikou had lost its mind.
Entei was completely stunned. What was that supposed to mean? Was Raikou trying to steal its kid?
"The Little One is the child I brought back. He is my child," Entei said solemnly, stating a fact.
"Oh?" Raikou narrowed its eyes. "Then why did he tell me, [Raikou is the best]? I've been with him day and night. To him, I've already become one of the most important Pokemon in his life."
What?!
Entei was shaken. Why would the Little One say something like that?
"Entei, I already said it's not just your matter anymore," Raikou said in a low voice. "Not only me. Suicune will know sooner or later. One day, even Ho-Oh will learn of his existence."
Entei fell silent.
But it wasn't Ho-Oh or Suicune that troubled it.
It was that single sentence.
[Raikou is the best].
Two Legendary Pokemon, each capable of shaking the world, stood locked in an incredibly strange atmosphere.
Until a soft, drowsy voice broke it.
"…Entei?"
Both Pokemon immediately looked down.
Fuyuki rubbed his eyes and climbed up from the carpet. The moment he saw Entei nearby, his eyes lit up.
"Entei!"
Joy flooded him. He ran forward and hugged the big fire-type tightly.
"Little One…" Entei lowered its massive head so he could hold on more easily. "I'm back."
As it spoke, it nudged the doll it had brought toward him.
Fuyuki looked down and saw a pink Clefairy Doll sitting quietly on the floor.
"This is…?"
He froze.
Wasn't this the Clefairy Doll item from the game? The one you could throw in battle to distract wild Pokemon and guarantee an escape?
"It's a toy I brought back for you," Entei said.
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You can read up to chapter 44 and more soon on patreon.com/NiaXD.